| Living the Wilderness: A Spiritual Journey Jenna Rhodes |
| Little Wonders Let it go, let it roll right off your shoulder. Don’t you know? The hardest part is over. Let it in. Let your clarity define you in the end. We will only just remember how it feels. (Chorus) Our lives are made in these small hours. These little wonders, these twists and turns of fate. Time falls away, but these small hours, these small hours still remain. Let it slide, let your troubles fall around you. Let it shine, until you feel it all around you, And I don’t mind, if its me you need to turn to. Well get by, it’s the heart that really matters in the end. (Chorus) All of my regret will wash away somehow. But I cannot forget the way I feel right now, In these small hours, these little wonders, these twists and turns of fate. Time falls away, but these small hours, these little wonders, still remain. --Rob Thomas –- |
The Necessity of Wilderness
Olson could not possibly define the “singing wilderness” because it
sings a different song for everyone. Instead, Olson describes in great
detail, the defining moments of his wilderness experience, for the purpose
of challenging his readers to define the “singing wilderness” for
themselves. Olson was convinced that the very thing we are all searching
for lies somewhere in the midst of a silent melody enriched by natural
harmony, and that in order to find it, we simply have to listen.
When I start describing the details of my wilderness experience to others,
certain sensations begin to resurface, and while someone else can not
experience the same feelings I have, they can use their imagination to paint
their own picture. Imagination leads to wonder, and wonder leads to
discovery. Discovery leads to a journey, and a journey leads to a
destination. I believe we journey through life trying to reach a destination of
spiritual resolve, and because we all choose our own paths in life, we
perceive this final destination in different ways. The “singing wilderness” is
essentially spiritual resolve, and because we are unique individuals with
different backgrounds, we each hear a different song. The following three
wilderness experiences describe the song that I heard, and will never
forget.
sings a different song for everyone. Instead, Olson describes in great
detail, the defining moments of his wilderness experience, for the purpose
of challenging his readers to define the “singing wilderness” for
themselves. Olson was convinced that the very thing we are all searching
for lies somewhere in the midst of a silent melody enriched by natural
harmony, and that in order to find it, we simply have to listen.
When I start describing the details of my wilderness experience to others,
certain sensations begin to resurface, and while someone else can not
experience the same feelings I have, they can use their imagination to paint
their own picture. Imagination leads to wonder, and wonder leads to
discovery. Discovery leads to a journey, and a journey leads to a
destination. I believe we journey through life trying to reach a destination of
spiritual resolve, and because we all choose our own paths in life, we
perceive this final destination in different ways. The “singing wilderness” is
essentially spiritual resolve, and because we are unique individuals with
different backgrounds, we each hear a different song. The following three
wilderness experiences describe the song that I heard, and will never
forget.
“Something happens to a man when he sits
before a fire. Strange stirrings take place
within him, and a light comes into his eyes
which was not there before. Around a fire
men feel that the whole world is their
campsite and all men partners of the trail”
(Olson 106).
before a fire. Strange stirrings take place
within him, and a light comes into his eyes
which was not there before. Around a fire
men feel that the whole world is their
campsite and all men partners of the trail”
(Olson 106).
Suddenly, something moved deep within me, and although one might think it was the beautiful scenery that captivated my soul, it
was actually the realization that I had transgressed my limits. I discovered that I am strong enough to overcome nearly any
challenge in life, as long as I keep a positive attitude. There on that rock, I heard the faint sound of the “singing wilderness” for the
first time.
One night, following a close encounter with a bear, sleep kept its distance. I moved closer to the fire, seeking its warmth and
comfort. Like a mother hushes her baby, it soothed my soul, and calmed my fear. For those few hours, all of my worries were gone,
and my mind was at ease. As Dr. Benham, Mason, Bruce, and I sat there talking, I felt so safe. We immersed ourselves in
conversation, opening up to one another, and expressing ourselves with conviction and clarity. I could sense the silence dwelling
within our soft spoken words, demanding peace and quiet. A wave of greater understanding and appreciation washed over me, and
during those few hours there was a connection between Dr. Benham, Bruce, Mason, and I that only we can understand, as if we
were singing in unison to the wilderness music of the night.
was actually the realization that I had transgressed my limits. I discovered that I am strong enough to overcome nearly any
challenge in life, as long as I keep a positive attitude. There on that rock, I heard the faint sound of the “singing wilderness” for the
first time.
One night, following a close encounter with a bear, sleep kept its distance. I moved closer to the fire, seeking its warmth and
comfort. Like a mother hushes her baby, it soothed my soul, and calmed my fear. For those few hours, all of my worries were gone,
and my mind was at ease. As Dr. Benham, Mason, Bruce, and I sat there talking, I felt so safe. We immersed ourselves in
conversation, opening up to one another, and expressing ourselves with conviction and clarity. I could sense the silence dwelling
within our soft spoken words, demanding peace and quiet. A wave of greater understanding and appreciation washed over me, and
during those few hours there was a connection between Dr. Benham, Bruce, Mason, and I that only we can understand, as if we
were singing in unison to the wilderness music of the night.
On the third day of our wilderness experience, Dr. Benham, Kelvin, Bruce, Mason, Mandy, Jennifer, and I set out to conquer thirteen
portages with fifty pounds on our backs and canoes over our heads. I climbed the steep hills feeling frustrated, discouraged, and
angry, unable to understand why we were putting ourselves through so much suffering. Finally, at the end of the thirteenth portage, I
rolled the pack off of my shoulders, and sighed with relief. I retreated to a rock near the shore, and let it all soak in.
portages with fifty pounds on our backs and canoes over our heads. I climbed the steep hills feeling frustrated, discouraged, and
angry, unable to understand why we were putting ourselves through so much suffering. Finally, at the end of the thirteenth portage, I
rolled the pack off of my shoulders, and sighed with relief. I retreated to a rock near the shore, and let it all soak in.
Leaving the Boundary Waters, my thumb punched the Ipod, and Little Wonders filled my ears: Let it go, let it roll right off your
shoulder…. I thought of Sigurd Olson,…the music can even be heard in the soft guttering of an open fire or in the beat of rain on a tent,
and sometimes not until long afterward when, like an echo out of the past, you know it was there in some quiet place or when you were
doing something simple in the out of doors (Olson 6). I drifted back to the wilderness, and there it was -- a rush of emotion--that same
intense feeling that came after completing thirteen portages back on day three, bonding around the campfire, and paddling through the
still waters of Zenith Lake.
shoulder…. I thought of Sigurd Olson,…the music can even be heard in the soft guttering of an open fire or in the beat of rain on a tent,
and sometimes not until long afterward when, like an echo out of the past, you know it was there in some quiet place or when you were
doing something simple in the out of doors (Olson 6). I drifted back to the wilderness, and there it was -- a rush of emotion--that same
intense feeling that came after completing thirteen portages back on day three, bonding around the campfire, and paddling through the
still waters of Zenith Lake.
| Let it go, let it roll right off your shoulder. Don’t you know? The hardest part is over…. |
“But I have found that when I catch even a
glimmer of their almost forgotten light in the
eyes of some friend who has shared them
with me, they begin to flame once more.
Those old fires have strange and wonderful
powers. Even their memories make life the
adventure it was meant to be”
(Olson 111).
glimmer of their almost forgotten light in the
eyes of some friend who has shared them
with me, they begin to flame once more.
Those old fires have strange and wonderful
powers. Even their memories make life the
adventure it was meant to be”
(Olson 111).
Let it in.
On the last night of our wilderness trip, my fellow classmates and I
paddled out to the middle of Zenith Lake. We entered a new realm, and
suddenly, we were part of the lake, the sky, the stars, the canoe, the paddle,
and the deafening silence. I recalled Olson’s words once more. He talked
about how amazing it feels to canoe across a calm surface, as though one is
suspended between heaven and earth, and how one feels as though they are
“paddling not in the water, but the skies themselves” (Olson 78). I was no
longer in control, but completely dependent upon a higher power. I think Olson
said it best, when reflecting upon the ancient admonition, “Be still and know
that I am God.”
paddled out to the middle of Zenith Lake. We entered a new realm, and
suddenly, we were part of the lake, the sky, the stars, the canoe, the paddle,
and the deafening silence. I recalled Olson’s words once more. He talked
about how amazing it feels to canoe across a calm surface, as though one is
suspended between heaven and earth, and how one feels as though they are
“paddling not in the water, but the skies themselves” (Olson 78). I was no
longer in control, but completely dependent upon a higher power. I think Olson
said it best, when reflecting upon the ancient admonition, “Be still and know
that I am God.”
“…and I knew that without stillness there can
be no knowing, without divorcement from
outside influences man cannot know what
spirit means” (Olson 131).
be no knowing, without divorcement from
outside influences man cannot know what
spirit means” (Olson 131).
| All of my regret will wash away somehow. But I cannot forget the way I feel right now, In these small hours, these little wonders, These twists and turns of fate. Time falls away, but these small hours, These little wonders, still remain. |
I will never forget those small hours when spiritual resolve was mine, and I wish everyone could hear the “singing
wilderness” at some point in their lives. This wilderness trip was difficult, but rewarding, and I would do it again in a
heartbeat. The professors made it a meaningful experience for all of us, and I want to thank them, especially Dr. Benham,
for everything they did to make it so. Drs. Benham, Bricker, and Duncan, shared themselves and their wisdom in ways that
touched each of us, and I respect them for it. To those who are interested in embarking on their own journey: remember,
there is a certain price of admission we must pay in order to hear the “singing wilderness,” but once we have paid it, we
come away with a greater understanding of our own spirituality: the essence of life itself.
wilderness” at some point in their lives. This wilderness trip was difficult, but rewarding, and I would do it again in a
heartbeat. The professors made it a meaningful experience for all of us, and I want to thank them, especially Dr. Benham,
for everything they did to make it so. Drs. Benham, Bricker, and Duncan, shared themselves and their wisdom in ways that
touched each of us, and I respect them for it. To those who are interested in embarking on their own journey: remember,
there is a certain price of admission we must pay in order to hear the “singing wilderness,” but once we have paid it, we
come away with a greater understanding of our own spirituality: the essence of life itself.
| You cannot hold back a good laugh any more than you can the tide. Both are forces of nature. - William Rotsler - |
